Muslim outfit bats for Sahay

Ranchi, April 10: The state unit of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has decided to support Congress candidate Subodh Kant Sahay in Ranchi Lok Sabha seat.

“There is no other party to which the IUML can extent its support,” said Syed Amjad Ali, the state unit president of IUML that has fielded its own candidates in two seats — Hazaribagh and Rajmahal.

“We don’t have any candidate of our own in Ranchi. Hence, we decided to support the Congress as IUML supporters want a secular alliance to come to power,” he announced at a news meet today.

Ali went on to claim that Ajsu would be inducted into the NDA, while Babulal Marandi’s JVM might also follow suit.

“Trinamul Congress and Aam Admi Party are out of the race in Ranchi. So Sahay is the obvious choice. Our state unit felt that the party’s support should go to the secular Congress,” he said.

Though IUML is not attached to the UPA at the Centre, its 20 MLAs support the (Oommen) Chandi government in Kerala. In return, its MP E. Ahamed has been made a minister of state at the Centre, Ali informed while elaborating his party’s ties with the Congress.

Ranchi town Congress secretary Anadi Brahma, who was also present at the news meet, welcomed the decision.

“Unlike earlier polls, this election is stressing on a choice between secular and communal parties. IUML’s support will strengthen Sahay’s poll prospects in Ranchi,” he added.